//------------------------------// // Party of One // Story: A New Hero // by Alex The Lone Wolf //------------------------------// Episode 25 – Party of One I peacefully woke up and looked around. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. My body felt much better. I think all the pain was gone… I heard some noise behind me. I turned my head to see Fluttershy tending to the birds in the cages. I turned my body around to step off the couch and fold the blankets. "Are you feeling better?" Fluttershy asked me. "Much better, thanks." Fluttershy released a smile, but then was startled a bit when a sudden knock sounded on the door. We both walked towards the door and opened it. Pinkie Pie was there, looking very tired as she blew a festival horn and began singing weakly. "This is your singing telegram I hope it finds you well You're invited to a party 'cause we think you're really swell Gummy's turning one year old So help us celebrate The cake will be delicious The festivities first-rate There will be games and dancing Bob for apples, cut a rug And when the party's over We'll gather 'round for a group hug No need to bring a gift Being there will be enough Birthdays mean having fun with friends Not getting lots of stuff It won't be the same without you So we hope that you say yes So, please, oh please R.S.V.P And come, and be our guest " Afterwards, she fell to the floor, bringing down her pet Gummy, who was on her back, with her. "Oh, my. Pinkie Pie, are you alright?" Fluttershy asked as I grabbed Pinkie Pie's hoof and pulled her up. "Just…great." Pinkie replied in a raspy voice. She gave a weak smile and turned around to head back towards town. "See you…there…" "A party…" Fluttershy turned to me. "That sounds like fun. Want to go?" "Sure… but…um…" "What is it?" I thought for a moment and then shook my head. "Nothing. Never mind. Let's get going." Fluttershy and I began walking towards Sugarcube Corner. Once we arrived, Pinkie Pie greeted us, now fully restored in energy, and led us to the second floor of the cake shop, which was where she stayed. The room was filled with festivities, cake, punch, and decorations. Twilight and the other girls had made it a little earlier than we did. Pinkie Pie ran off to dance with Twilight. Beyond them, lay a wide bucket filled with water and apples. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were dunking their heads in to bob for apples. Rarity had spotted Fluttershy with me and called her over. Before leaving, Fluttershy looked at me. "Remember. It's a party with friends. Enjoy it!" Fluttershy released a warm smile to me and began walking over to Rarity to talk with her. I looked around the party. I took a deep breath. With friends…just with friends… Fluttershy's right… but still… what do I do besides look? I took another deep breath and started my attempt by walking over to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Applejack had just dunked her head in the bucket of water and brought it back up with an apple in her mouth. She threw it up in the air and caught it with her mouth and began chewing, giving Rainbow Dash a competitive look. "Nice one!" Rainbow Dash commented. "Now, let me show you how it's really done." Rainbow Dash was about to dunk her head in, but Pinkie Pie had come over to see what we were up to. "Hiya!" "Hey, Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash responded. "Howdy!" Applejack added. Pinkie Pie released a light squeal. "Just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you can make it to Gummy's party!" "Are you kiddin'? Ah wouldn't have missed it for the world." "Me neither. When Pinkie Pie throws a party, I am there!" Rainbow Dash threw her head in the water and pulled out an apple as well. "Ta-da!" She exclaimed as she held the apple in her teeth. "Aw! It's just a boring old apple. Don't worry, there are plenty of other surprises in there!" Pinkie Pie assured. Rainbow Dash immediately spat out the apple in her mouth which hit Applejack in the cheek. However, Applejack ignored the hit and managed to share the excitement with Rainbow Dash about the surprises. "What kind of surprises?" "I can't tell you that, silly. Then it wouldn't be a surprise." Pinkie Pie began walking away, leaving Rainbow Dash and Applejack wanting to find out. They both stared at the water for a moment and then dunked both their heads in unison. When Applejack brought up her head, she had a green apple in her mouth. However, the green apple was attached to the bucket by a spring, bringing Applejack's face forcefully back into the water. When Rainbow Dash pulled her head out, Gummy was clinging onto her face with his mouth. Applejack had noticed this when she had pulled her head back out and began giggling. Rainbow Dash swung her head to throw Gummy off her face. She turned towards me. "Why don't you try, Alex?" After witnessing the kind of "surprises" Pinkie Pie had in store for them, I flinched back and responded. "Uh…no thanks, I'm okay… I think I'll just get some punch." "Suit yourself." They continued to dunk their heads back into the bucket anyway. I walked over to the table with a bowl of punch and several glass cups. Pinkie Pie had walked by me to refill Rarity's chalice with more punch. "This punch is simply divine. Is this the same recipe you used for your 'Spring Has Sprung' party?" Rarity asked. "Nope! Something new." Pinkie Pie answered as Rarity continued to drink the punch with a straw. We noticed something inside the punch bowl. Gummy lay inside, motionless, as it stared back at Rarity with huge eyes. Rarity noticed this and widened her eyes. She spat out the punch she was drinking straight at Pinkie Pie's cheerful face. "It's Gummy's favorite." Pinkie Pie continued to reply, despite the punch that was dripping from her face. Rarity looked over to Twilight, who returned a worried and confused look. Rarity turned back to Pinkie Pie who remained smiling. Rarity gave a nervous smile and continued to drink some more punch, hesitantly. "Ooh, this is my jam!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed when a new song began playing and she immediately ran from the area. Rarity had held the punch in her cheeks and instantly spat out the punch in a nearby plant when Pinkie Pie was out of her sight. After seeing that sight… I wasn't really in the mood for punch anymore… I turned to look at the dance floor where Pinkie Pie had rushed towards to. Twilight and Fluttershy were now dancing happily as Pinkie Pie joined them. "Having fun?" Pinkie Pie asked as they continued to dance in conversation. "A blast!" Twilight answered. "You always throw the best parties, Pinkie Pie." Fluttershy added. "They're always the best parties 'cause my best friends are always there!" Pinkie Pie began dancing, accidentally bumping Twilight and Fluttershy out of the area. I had caught Fluttershy before she hit the wall. The two ponies were dizzy but regained their coordination quickly. "C'mon, everypony! Gummy wants to dance!" Fluttershy pulled me towards the circle the ponies had made around Gummy. She began dancing along with the other ponies around Gummy, but I stood there, confused and unknowing what to do. "Go, Gummy! It's your birthday! Go, Gummy! It's your birthday!" I spent the rest of the time of the party trying to look as if I was enjoying myself like Fluttershy said… but I really had no clue of what to do. Most of the time, I excused myself to the outside, but I didn't stay out for long because I didn't want to worry any of them. I could have survived the party easily if I had known what I could have done. In my mind, I continued repeating what Fluttershy told me a thousand times… Enjoy it… It's a party with friends… Enjoy it… but all I did was stress over the idea instead of getting loose and having fun… "Hey, Alex." I was startled. I was standing near the punch bowl with a hoof to my cheek as I stared downwards, thinking about all the things having to with the party. Fluttershy had walked over to me with concerned eyes. "Oh, hey, Fluttershy…" "Is something the matter? You look like you're not having fun…" "I'm just tired…" "Tired…? But…you've just been walking around the party… I haven't seen you have any fun…" I remained silent; I didn't know what to say. "It's okay. I'm doing fine." I responded with whatever I could manage to think of. I looked out the window and noticed the moon was out. "Actually… I'm a little sleepy. I think I'll head to bed." I began walking towards the door as Fluttershy followed me. When we were outside, I looked over to her. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" She nodded, but then she realized something. "Oh!" She moved her head closer to mine and whispered to me. "It's Pinkie Pie's birthday tomorrow, so we're planning to have a surprise party for her at Applejack's barn that afternoon." She slightly pulled away. "Do you think you could help us?" I nodded. "Yeah…I'll help you girls. Until then… Goodnight." "Goodnight." Fluttershy hugged me and turned back to the building, glancing back to wave. I returned a slight wave and headed towards my home. When I arrived, I lightly placed myself on my bed and closed my eyes. I wasn't really that sleepy… but I just didn't want to keep Fluttershy worrying about me…especially when I don't have anything to say… Regardless, I sighed and tried to see if I could sleep anyway. I woke up due to a loud knock at my front door. I sleepily crawled out of bed and walked sluggishly towards the front door. When I opened it, I saw Pinkie Pie bouncing excitedly. "Here's your invitation!" She lowered her head towards me, presenting a basket of invitations. I grabbed one with my teeth and opened the letter to read the contents inside. You're invited to "Gummy's After-Birthday" party. This afternoon at 3 o'clock. Pinkie Pie continued to bounce up and down, very excitedly. "All our bestest friends are invited, and there's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!" I remembered how Fluttershy told me that they were going to set up Pinkie Pie's birthday party for this afternoon… I can't tell Pinkie Pie that I'll be able to go… "Oh…sorry, Pinkie Pie. I won't be able to make it…" "Aw. Why not?" She ceased her bouncing. "I… I think I'm getting sick." I made a few fake coughs. "Aw. I understand, it's okay! I'll still be able to invite the girls! I hope you get better!" "Bye." I waved as she trailed off, bouncing with her basket of invitations. I sighed and entered back home. Behind the door, I sat and thought about what I had to do. Fluttershy told me the party was going to be at Applejack's barn… so they must be there setting up everything right now. I guess I should start heading over there right now. I hope Pinkie Pie doesn't see me, but even if she does… I'll just tell her that I'm getting medicine… I opened my door slightly and poked my head out, looking around. Pinkie Pie was out of sight, so I walked out the door and began walking towards Applejack's barn. I had no trouble on the way over there. I guess Pinkie Pie was too busy asking the other girls. I had reached the barn and looked in to see Applejack carry some materials across different places in the barn. "Hey, Applejack…" I called. She was almost startled but then released a relieving breath. "Oh, hey Alex. I was worried Pinkie Pie might have come and seen this…" "Well, you have to be careful… she came by my house this morning to invite me to another party for Gummy…" "Another party? For when?" "The same time for her birthday party…" "Oh, shoot. We're going to have some trouble then…um…" Applejack thought for a moment, placing a hoof to her chin. "Do you mind watching the place really quick, Alex? I gotta bring in a whole bunch of apples." "Ok, sure. No problem." "Thanks." She began racing out the barn while I stayed behind. I looked around the barn to see decorations being set up. There were a few streamers across the ceiling, but there were still more to be placed. The tables were up and covered with some decorative cloth, but they were empty for the moment. Soon, I heard some noise outside. I saw Applejack bringing in several carts of a bunch of apples towards the barn. Before she reached the entrance, something suddenly popped out of the hay, surprising Applejack. "Huh? Oh, hi, Pinkie Pie!" Applejack announced, a little nervous. "What brings you 'round these parts?" Fortunately, Pinkie Pie didn't notice me. "Who's ready to shake their hoof-thang?"Applejack noticed the basket on top of Pinkie Pie's head and grabbed one of the invitations, but she didn't read it as she already knew what it was. "It's an invitation to 'Gummy's After-Birthday' party this afternoon. There's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!" "Uh, well, ah… ah… uh… ah don't think I can make it 'cause… uh… ah have to… uh… uh, you know what? Ah… uh… pick apples! Yup, apples! 'Cause that's what we do! With the… apples. We… uh… pick 'em!" Applejack then threw out a nervous grin. Pinkie Pie began staring at her weirdly, which caused Applejack to widen her nervous grin even more. Pinkie Pie narrowed her eye towards Applejack in a suspicious matter as Applejack could only return a nervous chuckle and gulp. Pinkie Pie increased the threat towards her stare even further until all of sudden, she responded in a cheerful voice. "Okey dokey lokey! A party is still a party, even if there are only three guests." Pinkie Pie walked off, allowing Applejack and I to sigh in relief. "Boy, that was a close one…" Applejack commented as she brought the apples into the barn. "Yeah…" Applejack began unloading the apples until we heard another sound. It was Twilight. "Hey, Twilight. Pinkie Pie didn't see you, did she?" Applejack asked. Twilight sighed. "No, I had to hide from her while she was walking back from here. Did she give you an invitation to her party too?" "Uh-huh. I had to make an excuse about picking apples…" "I told her that I was behind in my studying…" Twilight looked over to me. "What about you, Alex?" "I told her that I thought I was getting sick." I answered. "Oh, that's good one." Twilight shook her head. "Anyways, so what are we going to do now?" "We have to wait for Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity to get here. Hopefully they don't run into a problem with Pinkie Pie. I'm sure Pinkie Pie is going to feel weird with no one attending her party, but we can't let her know that we are throwing one for her." "What about the cake for her at the Sugarcube Corner?" "Hmm… okay." Applejack turned towards me. "Alex, do you think you can help Twilight and the others watch out for Pinkie Pie while they're bringing the cake?" I nodded. "Sure." "Great." She looked back at Twilight. "Alright, Twilight. You and Alex head on the way towards Sugarcube Corner to get the cake. When Rarity gets over here, I'll tell her to meet you on the way, got it?" Twilight nodded. "Yep!" Twilight looked at me. "Come on, Alex! Let's go get Pinkie Pie's cake!" Twilight began galloping towards our location as I followed her. Once we neared the building, Twilight placed a hoof in front of me to stop me. "We have to be careful now because the chances of Pinkie Pie being here are very high." Twilight whispered to me. I nodded and we began walking quickly but softly towards the building. Once we were inside, Twilight rang the bell at the counter while I looked for any Pinkie Pie activity. "Ooh!" Mrs. Cake exclaimed when she spotted us. "You must be here for…" "Shh!" Twilight immediately shushed. "Is Pinkie Pie around?" "Oh, I don't think so." "Good. I don't want her to know anything about this." "Yes, of course. I'll be right back." As Mrs. Cake left to receive the cake, I continued looking around. Mrs. Cake thought Pinkie Pie wasn't here… but she loves this place… she'd most likely be here at anytime. When I thought I might be able to take a break from looking around, I heard something dangling above Twilight. I quickly looked and saw a tin can hanging by a string. Twilight was unaware of the object above her head. I jumped on top of the counter and lightly grabbed the tin can without pulling it. "What are you doing…?" Twilight asked with a confused look. I placed my teeth on the string and cut it, able to bring the can with me. I jumped off the counter and showed Twilight. "Look…" Twilight placed her hooves on her mouth. "Oh my gosh… do you think…?" I shook my head lightly. "I don't know… but we better hurry just to be sure…" Mrs. Cake had come back and placed the cake on the counter. "There you go." "Thanks, and remember, not a word to Pinkie Pie." She grabbed the box the cake was in. "C'mon, Alex. Let's hurry." We began carefully walking outside Sugarcube Corner as Twilight held the box on her back. Suddenly, we heard some noise behind us, causing us to quickly turn around, but all we saw was an apple stand. After a moment of carefully looking around and listening, we slowly turned back while I kept my eyes behind me. Soon enough, I turned my head forward and noticed Twilight was taking the cake to Rarity's shop. Once there, Twilight rang the doorbell. Rarity opened the door and looked around. After, she moved over to Twilight. "She didn't see you at the sweet shop, did she?" She asked. "I don't think so…" Twilight responded. "Oh, good. I'd hate for her to ruin everything." "Me too." Twilight looked to me. "Okay, Alex. Watch over her, alright?" I nodded. Twilight slipped the box towards the ground, where Rarity walked in front of it and grabbed it with her tail. "Come now, Alex." She whispered as she began tiptoeing towards the next target location. I stayed right behind her, walking carefully and keeping an eye out for Pinkie Pie. In the center of different houses, we met up with Fluttershy. As they continued on with the package delivering, I looked around behind me. "Have you seen her?" Rarity asked. "Not since this morning." Fluttershy replied. "Me neither. Can you believe she was planning on throwing an after-birthday party today?" I had suddenly spotted an odd looking stack of hay that had not been there a second earlier. I narrowed my eyes at it and continued observing it for a moment as Rarity and Fluttershy continued talking. "I'm just glad I was able to come up with an excuse for why I couldn't be there." "Me too! This is obviously going to be so much better." "As long as we keep her from finding out about it, it will." Rarity dropped the box and whispered to Fluttershy. "See you later!" Fluttershy grabbed the box with her teeth and began walking towards the way where the odd looking stack of hay stood, but I placed my hoof in front of her to prevent her from walking any further. "…let's go the other way around…" I whispered and led Fluttershy the way Rarity went through but traveled the slightly longer way towards the barn. "What was wrong with the other way, Alex…?" Fluttershy whispered to me. "I just didn't trust it…" I responded briefly. A little while later, we met up with Applejack who was standing outside the barn. She walked over to us while suspiciously looking around. "Do you got the cake?" She asked. Fluttershy nodded and presented the cake she was holding with her mouth. "Alright. Quick, go inside and help the others get the things ready." We nodded and walked into the barn. We saw the others continuing to set the decorations, food, drinks, and other party necessities as Fluttershy and I walked over to the table to place the cake on there. "Thanks a lot for helping us, Alex." Fluttershy told me. "You're welcome…" I replied. "Hey…" We heard Twilight call us. "Do you think you two could help me finish hanging these streamers?" "Sure." Fluttershy responded. However, before we could lift one hoof, Rainbow Dash had suddenly dashed into the barn with Applejack running after her and slamming the door shut. There were several bangs on the barn door. "I know you're IN THERE!" We heard Pinkie Pie yell outside the barn. Applejack looked at us and placed a hoof to her mouth to make sure we kept quiet. She slightly opened the door and looked out. "Oh! Howdy, pardn'r!" "Mind if I… take a look inside the barn?" Pinkie Pie responded in an irritated tone. Applejack took a quick glance at us. "No! Uh, I mean, yes, I mean… you can't come in here!" "Rainbow Dash just went in there." "Oh, well, she was just bringin' in some… supplies! Yup, supplies for the… renovation! Fixin' up the whole thing, top to bottom… uh, lots of construction goin' on in there right now!" Applejack had looked back towards us, giving all of us a hint to imitate construction work. "You heard her! Construction!" Rainbow Dash whispered loudly. All of the ponies began making construction sounds while I could not help but look at them awkwardly. Applejack continued to keep Pinkie Pie from finding out as she purposely blocked the way from Pinkie Pie seeing anything. Pinkie Pie began trying to force her head inside the barn as Applejack tried to fight back. Pinkie Pie was eventually going to beat her at it, so Applejack had no choice but to shut the barn door right on her face. Pinkie Pie managed to free herself and pull her head out. "Yup! Construction! That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it." Applejack released a nervous laugh. Applejack could only continue grinning very nervously as sweat slowly poured from her face. There was a long silence and eventually Pinkie Pie had given up. "Okey… dokey… lokey…" Pinkie Pie responded in a very suspicious tone and then we heard her footsteps walk away. Just as Applejack was about to release a relieved sigh, Pinkie Pie suddenly pressed her face against hers and gave her a suspicious stare while Applejack could only release another nervous grin. Afterwards, Pinkie Pie finally left and Applejack was able to complete her relieved sigh. The girls looked out the barn door and followed in her example. "Okay, that was too close!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "It's alright…" Applejack answered. "We're almost done." She looked around the barn. "We just need to finish hanging those streamers… we have the music… the punch bowl is filled with punch… hmm…" She tapped her hoof on her chin while continuing to look around. "Oh! And we could use some more balloons; you know how Pinkie Pie loves her balloons." Every pony nodded and giggled. Fluttershy and I helped Twilight place the remaining streamers. I grabbed the rest of the streamers and took them to Fluttershy, who flew over to the ceiling and securely placed them on there. Placing the streamers took several minutes, but it wasn't too long. As we finished placing the streamers, Rarity and Rainbow Dash had gone out to bring the remaining balloons and fill them up. When the girls finished decorating the place with balloons, Applejack noticed this and smiled. "Well, looks like we're finished, ponies!" Everypony cheered. "Hmm… Alex, how about you go and bring Pinkie Pie over here? You're the only one guaranteed not to spill the beans." Applejack suggested that I brought Pinkie Pie. "Um… okay, I guess…" I responded as I began walking out the barn. Before I exited the barn, I could hear Applejack exclaim over to the other ponies, "Okay, everypony! Find your hiding places!" When I reached the slightly opened door, the entire area behind me grew dark. I glanced back one more time and closed the door behind me as I exited. I had arrived over to Sugarcube corner, which also took several minutes coming all the way from Applejack's barn. I opened the door and walked in, letting it close behind me. I walked to the counter and rang the bell. Mrs. Cake had walked from the kitchen towards the counter to see me. "Oh, hello, dear. What can I do for you?" "Is Pinkie Pie here?" I asked. "I believe so. I've been hearing her talk from upstairs. It's strange though, the baby dragon she brought had left a while ago, eating gems, so I'm not sure if she has other company with her." "What do you mean?" I questioned her comment, slightly confused. "Well, it sounds like she has company upstairs, but I only saw her bring in a baby dragon, who left not too long ago. A baby dragon…? Spike? "Um… well I'll check up on her. I'm taking her back to the barn for her birthday party." "Oh, sounds delightful! Well you ponies have fun!" Mrs. Cake began walking back towards the kitchen. "Thanks…" I began walking up the stairs towards Pinkie Pie's room. Mrs. Cake thinks she has company upstairs… why is that…? All of the other girls are at the barn waiting for Pinkie Pie… and why would she bring Spike anyway? All these questions were going through my mind until I suddenly began hearing the voices Mrs. Cake was talking about. I finished climbing up the stairs to Pinkie Pie's room to find an odd surprise. "Thank you all so much for coming! It means so much to Gummy." Pinkie Pie exclaimed near a table which was filled with a giant cake. Something was different about Pinkie Pie… her hair wasn't as filled up or crazy as it usually is… It was all hanging down from her face, including her tail. That wasn't the only strangest thing… there were balloons, confetti, and streamers everywhere. Gummy was sitting down at the end of the table wearing a party hat… but he wasn't the only one… there was a sack of flour, a pile of rocks, a clump of lint, and a bucket of turnips sitting near the table, all wearing party hats. I could only stare at the whole scene in almost shocking disbelief. Pinkie Pie rushed over to the bucket of turnips and began nudging it to make it look as if it was talking while she voiced for it. "Could I have some more punch?"She spoke in a deeper tone. "Well, of course you can have some more punch, Mr. Turnip." Pinkie Pie quickly grabbed a chalice filled with punch and placed it near the bucket of turnips, suddenly twitching after. Pinkie Pie walked over to the pile of rocks and placed her foreleg around it, beginning to voice for it as well with a deep voice. "This is one great party! You've really outdone yourself!" "Why, thank you, Rocky." Pinkie Pie replied. She leaned over to the clump of lint and began voicing for it too, enabling me to see her eyes cross away from each other in a creepy way. "I'm having a delightful time as well." Pinkie Pie spoke for the lint in a high pitched snooty voice. "I'm so glad Sir Lintsalot." Pinkie Pie's face twitched once again. Pinkie Pie walked over to the sack of flour and placed her hooves around it, moving it around to make it look as if it was talking again. "Might I tro'ble you for another slice of cake?" Pinkie Pie voiced in a very high pitched and French accent. "Anything for you, Madame LeFlour." Pinkie Pie grabbed the plate with a slice of cake and moved it over to the sack of flour. Witnessing this scene actually caused my eye to begin twitching as if she had passed her twitches over to me. I couldn't believe what Pinkie Pie was doing… Has she gone…insane...? She slipped under the table and moved her hoof across to the pile of rocks to begin her deep voice. "I'm just glad none of them PONIES showed up." Pinkie Pie pulled herself up from under the table and responded to herself. "Oh, they're not so bad." She began staring up at the ceiling as her eyes rolled away from each other and grew smaller. To be honest… Pinkie Pie was truly starting to frighten me now as she continued to voice for the inanimate objects. "Not so bad? Please! They're a buncha losers!" Rocky's voice stated. Pinkie Pie returned a lifeless stare, but then shook out of it and replied to the pile of rocks. "Oh, c'mon now. 'Losers' might be a little strong, don'cha think?" "After the way they treated you? I say 'losers' isn't strong enough." The clump of lint's voice sounded. "Well, it was pretty rude…" "Pretty rude? It was downright deeespicable!" The sack of flour's voice added. "It was, wasn't it?" Pinkie Pie's voice assured, sounding irritated now. "If I were you, I wouldn't speak to them ever again." The bucket's voice suggested. "You know what? I'm not gonna speak to them ever again. And I'm not gonna invite them to another party as long as I live! They don't deserve to be invited to my parties." Pinkie Pie's face twitched again. "Not after the way they've been acting." Pinkie Pie continued moving the objects as she voiced for them. "Deeespicable!" "Such losers!" "Yes, zat's right." "Well done." "Yeah!" "You show 'em!" Alright… I've had enough of this creepy scene… "Pinkie Pie?" I called as I stepped towards the table. "Who could that be?" She questioned as she snapped out her trance. "Hey Pinkie Pie…" I began speaking to her as I continued walking towards the table. "I know how the other girls haven't been able to attend your party because they've been really busy… so I thought we could hang out? I've been feeling better…" "Yeah, you have, haven't you?" Pinkie Pie responded through clenched teeth. "Yeah…" My eyes couldn't stop glancing over at the inanimate objects as they now creeped me out for some reason. "So why don't we go to Sweet Apple Acres?" "No thanks." Pinkie Pie declined as she walked over to the sack of flour. "I'm spending time with my real friends. Isn't that right, Madame LeFlour?" "Oui! Zat iz correct, madame!" She resumed her odd face and voiced for the sack of flour. "Uh…Pinkie Pie…?" "Another slice of cake, Sir Lintsalot?" She asked the clump of lint. "I'd love one." Pinkie Pie voiced the lint as Gummy bounced past me on a balloon. I sighed and began feeling irritated. "Okay, Pinkie Pie. Why don't you stop being… creepy… and we'll go over to Applejack's and— Pinkie Pie suddenly cut off my sentence by sliding over the bucket of turnips towards me and voicing it. "She's not going anywhere." "I most certainly am not." Pinkie Pie agreed. "I'm having a wonderful time right here." I threw the bucket of turnips away from me with my left foreleg, feeling a lot angrier. "Pinkie Pie, that's enough. You need to get out of here." From under the table, Pinkie Pie slid the stool holding the pile of rocks in front of me. "You heard the lady! She ain't goin' nowheres, chump!" I instantly threw the pile of rocks away from me with both hooves now, feeling almost enraged now. "Pinkie Pie!" "No!" I pulled her out from under the table. "Come on! We need to go!" "I said, NO!" She responded like a very stubborn child. I tried pushing her from behind, but she wouldn't budge. "You…need…to…come…with…me!" "No… I… DON'T!" She raised her back legs, causing me to fall underneath her as she sat on top of my head. I pulled myself out with enough force, causing me to sit down afterwards. I sighed heavily and closed my eyes. I thought for a moment and suddenly recieved an idea. I stood up and looked at Pinkie Pie. "Okay, Pinkie Pie. If you want to stay here, then fine! Stay here!" I began storming down the stairs while Pinkie Pie remained sitting above. After, I calmed myself down and rang the bell at the counter. Mrs. Cake came out and saw me again. "Oh, hello. Did you find Pinkie Pie?" "Yeah…" I responded, remembering the awkward and creepy scene. "Um… do you think you can help me with something?" "Of course, dear. What do you need?" "Do you happen to have any candy I can use for Pinkie Pie's birthday?" "Why, of course! We have a huge sack of candy that we weren't planning on using. We we're actually going to throw it out, but if you could use it, be my guest!" "That would be great. Thanks." Mrs. Cake walked towards the kitchen for a moment and came back out with a large sack of candy. She placed it on the counter. "Here you go, dearie. Is there anything else you need?" "No, thank you, Mrs. Cake. This is all I need." "Alright, then. Have fun!" Mrs. Cake responded as she walked back into the kitchen. I grabbed the sack of candy with my teeth and placed it on the floor. I sighed and looked at the sack. This is going to be a LONG walk… I opened the sack, revealing the many pieces of candy in there. I grabbed a handful and placed it them in a line heading towards Pinkie Pie's room. When I was at the top of the stairs, I poked my head upwards to see Pinkie Pie continue to remain seated as she kept the fierce look on her face while her eyes remained closed. I felt the remaining piece of candy in my hoof and threw it at her. I quickly ducked and began heading down the stairs. "OW! What the hay?" There was a pause. "Is this… CANDY?" I heard her begin to chew noisily for a moment and gulp. "Aw, phooey. Now I want more!" I was at the door of the sweet shop when I saw Pinkie Pie poke her head from the stairs and look around until she noticed the candy I lined up for her, starting at the top of the stairs. "Oooh! A piece of candy!" She lowered her head and ate the piece of candy. "Ooh! A piece of candy!" She repeated when she spotted the piece of candy on the next stair. I nodded and walked out the door, placing pieces of candy with each step. "Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy!" Pinkie Pie continued to repeat as she ate each piece of candy off the floor all while Gummy was riding on back of her. This continued all the way towards Applejack's barn as I finished the remaining pieces of candy in the sack. I shook the sack, feeling only the emptiness in it and threw it away. I could hear Pinkie Pie catching up to the barn as she continued to eat the pieces of candy. "Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy! Ooh! A piece of candy!" She spotted the last piece of candy that was in front of me. "Ooh! A piece of candy!" She finished it and swallowed. Afterwards, she looked around and presented a surprised yet angry expression. "Hey! Where am I?" I sighed and rolled my eyes. I opened the doors to reveal the darkness in the barn. "Surprise!" The girls screamed out in unison, happily. Pinkie Pie widened her eyes as I pushed her towards the girls. After, she returned an irritated and angry look. "I really thought she'd be more excited…" Fluttershy whispered to the others. "Excited? EXCITED? Why would I be excited to attend my own farewell party?" She asked, angrily. "Farewell party?" Twilight questioned. "Yes! You don't like me anymore, so you decided to kick me out of the group and throw a great, big party to celebrate! A 'Farewell to Pinkie Pie' party!" Pinkie Pie answered. "Why in the world would you think we didn't like you anymore, sugarcube?" Applejack asked with concerned eyes. "Why? Why? WHY? Because you've been lying to me and avoiding me all day, that's why!" She expressed her anger as she answered. "Uh, yeah! Because we wanted your party to be a surprise." Rainbow Dash explained. "We've been planning this party for such a long time. We had to make excuses for why we couldn't attend Gummy's party, so that we could get everything ready for yours." Rarity added as she played with a yellow balloon. "If this is a farewell party, why does the cake I picked up from Sugarcube Corner say, 'Happy Birthday, Pinkie Pie?'" Twilight presented the cake on the table. Pinkie Pie slowly looked around the room, noticing all the decorations and effort we had placed for her. Suddenly, her hair inflated back to its original self and she smiled happily once again. "Because it's my birthday! Ooh, how could I have forgotten my own birthday?" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she pulled all of us for a group hug. The girls, including me, returned sighs of relief. Pinkie Pie released her grip on us and began bouncing around the barn. "And you like me so much, you decided to throw me a surprise party!" "That's what we've been trying to tell you, darling." Rarity replied to Pinkie Pie as she smiled. "You ponies are the best friends ever!" Pinkie Pie grinned, but then lowered her head and frowned. "How could I have ever doubted you?" "It's okay, Pinkie Pie. It could have happened to any of us." Twilight responded as she walked over to Pinkie Pie. "All right, girls! Enough of this gab." Applejack exclaimed as she turned on the music. "Let's party!" As so… the party started. However, before everypony began partying, they walked Pinkie Pie over to the table with the cake. They had several candles on there, which all of them were lit. "Okay, Pinkie Pie. Make a wish and blow the candles!" Applejack exclaimed. Pinkie Pie thought for a moment as she placed her hoof under her chin. Afterwards, she thought of something as she glanced back at me. Finally, she blew the candles which led everypony to cheer. "What did you wish for Pinkie Pie?" Twilight asked. "Well...I'm not supposed to tell...but..." She grinned and began to speak. "I wished for Alex to smile very soon!" "Huh?" I quickly responded, surprised. "Yep!" Pinkie Pie walked over to me. "See?" She pulled out a cupcake. "I made this for you back at Sugarcube Corner! I was hoping it'd help you to smile." I slowly grabbed the cupcake and observed it. It had Pinkie Pie on the top who was pointing at me. At the bottom, it stated: I want YOU to smile! "I don't know what to say, Pinkie Pie..." "Just say you'll smile!" Pinkie Pie released a wide grin, but then lowered her head for something else. "Also... I'm really sorry about how I was acting when you came to get me at Sugarcube Corner... Forgive me?" I wasn't really angry at how she was acting... it was just mostly... I sighed mentally. I instantly accepted her apology. "Of course, Pinkie Pie. You don't have to worry about it." "YAY!" She exclaimed out loud and hugged me super tight for a moment. After, she let me breathe and looked out to everypony. "Okay, everypony! Time to PARRR-TAAY!" Applejack and Fluttershy were bouncing a pink balloon to each other while Gummy stood in the middle trying to grab it with his gums. Rainbow Dash had gone over to the cake and grabbed a slice, taking a bite of it. Rarity was by the music as she was dancing to it. "Dear Princess Celestia…" I heard Twilight's voice behind me. "…I am writing to you from the most delightful party. I'm not only having a great time with my friends, but also was given the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson about friendship. Always expect the best from your friends, and never assume the worst. Rest assured that a good friend always has your best interests at heart. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." My face saddened at that thought… Always expect the best from your friends…? And never assume the worst…? I lowered my head and looked away. That's what got me in this condition in the first place… After a moment of closing my eyes and struggling to keep my emotions from spilling out, I noticed how Spike had spotted Rarity dancing. He quickly rushed over to her and began dancing as if he was trying to impress her. However, the second Spike began dancing, Rarity noticed how Twilight placed her hooves on Pinkie Pie, forming some sort of line, and walked away from Spike. Rarity placed her hooves on Twilight and added herself to the line as Spike finally realized how she had left. Fluttershy noticed this too and flew over to the end of the line, placing her hooves on Rarity. Rainbow Dash lifted her head from the cake and followed Fluttershy's example. Applejack had just finished bouncing the pink balloon when she noticed the line. She quickly ran over to join it. Each of the girls continued to follow each other as Pinkie Pie was in the lead. "You girls wouldn't mind if we celebrated Gummy's after-birthday party too, would you? His party was cut short, and he's pretty upset about it." Pinkie Pie asked as she continued to walk to the music. The other girls released comments agreeing to the subject. "Yeah, why not? Let's have a party for Gummy." Twilight accepted and giggled. She noticed me standing to the side and waved over to me. "C'mon, Alex! Join the fun!" I thought for a moment and started feeling a little better. You know what? Maybe I should join them… I mean… they are my real friends… right…? They won't mind if I join them… they won't… I nodded and formed a determined look on my face. I lifted my right hoof to take my first step towards them, but all of a sudden, something strange began happening. The music in the barn began fading away. All the laughter of the girls faded away. Things seemed to be getting blurry and worst of all… there was something wrong with my right hoof. I turned my head to look at my right hoof and notice how my hoof began shaking…trembling… My hoof was the only thing in my body to begin shaking uncontrollably. I heard and felt my heart begin pounding as I began to breathe heavily. What is…what is…happening to me…? "Alex…?" I heard faint voice. I looked up and noticed the girls continue to walk in a line. My eyes cleared up and everything returned to normal, all except for my shaking hoof. I could see the concern in their eyes as they looked towards me. "I…uh…I gotta go." I responded a bit weakly and began running out the barn. After leaving the barn, I planted myself against the outside of the barn and lay myself against the wall. The sky was dark. I pulled up my hoof and noticed how it was still shaking. My head started to hurt a little. I had no idea what was going on, and I was really starting to become afraid. After a moment, I saw Fluttershy fly out of the barn doors and look around. She spotted me and quickly flew over to me. "Alex, what's going on? Are you okay?" She quickly asked. I immediately placed my left hoof over my right to prevent Fluttershy from seeing it. "Um… my…my head just hurts a little." "Oh no. Do you want me to get you something for that?" "Um, no… it's alright… I think I'll just go home and sleep it off." "Are you sure…?" "Yeah…" "Okay… Goodnight, Alex." Fluttershy embraced me, which seemed to ease the shaking a little. "Goodnight, Fluttershy…" Fluttershy pulled away after a moment. She waved and flew slowly back towards the barn. I sighed and began walking home. When I reached home, I opened the door and entered, closing the door behind me. I turned to the kitchen and pulled out the cupcake Pinkie Pie had given me. I observed it once more and then placed it in the fridge. After, I walked up the stairs and sat on my bed. What was all that about? What had just happened? What…was that…? I looked at my hoof. It wasn't shaking anymore. The pain in my head was gone. Basically, everything was back to normal. I had never experienced that before… I think… I lay down in my bed and pulled the covers over me. What if it happens again…? Especially…at the Gala?